Fishing Ethics

[CrappiePappy]

but if there's not one around, I release them into the lake.
Should I not be doing this?
If not, why not?
By the way, my favorite suggested addition was, "Take more trash out than you brought". I'd like to see a sign like that posted at every boat ramp!
Deral

No, actually you shouldn't be dumping your "minnows" into the lake. The reason being, that those minnows "may not all be" baitfish minnows that are present in those waters. Sometimes you can get 'other' small fish, along with your "minnows" ... like Sticklebacks, or the young of various other fish. The "rule" is a blanket coverage deal, in the hopes of stopping the dumping of "minnows" into the lakes, so that unwanted or destructive/invasive species are not transmitted into those waters. The idea is, it's better to kill all the baitfish minnows you have left, than to take the chance of introducing an unwanted species into that body of water. It might sound like a "throwing the baby out with the wash water" kind of rule ... but, it's effective if done by everyone. It also keeps you from having to be able to properly identify what you actually have in your bait bucket.
If you're not going to keep them, or can't give them away ... dump the minnow bucket contents on the ground, well away from the shoreline. Yeah, I know, it sounds like a waste ... and people figure they're "feeding" the fish, when they dump their minnows in the lake ... but, it only takes a few instances of dumping the wrong kind of "minnow" in a lake, and you can start having a problem. It may even be detrimental to the species of fish that you're fishing for ... and you'd basically be shooting yourself in the foot !!

Take out more than you brought in ... is an excellent rule of thumb, and I try and follow that rule on every trip. Now some might say ... well, that's only going to encourage people to dump their trash, knowing that someone else will pick it up for them ... I like to think that, when people see me picking up discarded trash, that it will encourage them to do likewise. I'd rather be a small part of the solution, than any part of the problem.

... cp

[Deral]

Thanks a bunch, Crappiepappie!
Everything you said is perfectly logical and makes a lot of sense! That explains why I occasionally see a pile of dead minnows near the boat ramp! I always thought someone was just being careless or lazy! Had it backwards, didn't I? Besides, there are already enough "junk" fish in these Texas lakes and rivers!
There is a creek on a lake near my home where I like to take my kayak. I've caught a bunch of crappie and bass up that creek. But lately, that creek has become a floating garbage dump. Part of the creek is in a public accessable park,and is lined with numerous trash cans, and a lot of people fish from the banks. Unfortunately, the majority of the people who fish there are members of a particular ethnic group who do not know what a trash can is for! I don't know how many times I have watched them sitting beside a trash can and throwing their burrito wrappers and beer cans and tequila bottles in the water! I can't tell you how bad I want to say something, but most likely, most of them wouldn't understand me, anyway!
As an alternative, there is plenty of room in my yak to carry a plastic trash bag! HMMMMM!!! Who knows? Maybe I could start a trend!
Deral

[shipahoy41]

Great set of rules and an excellent bunch of suggested additions!
HOWEVER - - -
I did see one that really grabbed by attention!
Number 7; "Do not release baitfish or aquatic plants into public waters."
I don't use live bait very often. When I do, it's usually just for a change of pace! Or maybe when I'm not getting even a nibble on my jigs!
It isn't at all uncommon to have a few minnows left over when I'm finished. If I can find another fisherman, I'll offer them to him, but if there's not one around, I release them into the lake.
Should I not be doing this?
If not, why not?
By the way, my favorite suggested addition was, "Take more trash out than you brought". I'd like to see a sign like that posted at every boat ramp!
Deral

I can remember fishing Lake erie before someone "introduced" the Ghobi. Boy it took over the Lake real fast. You could not catch a walleye or a perch because that ^%$&^ghobi was taking over the lake, found it to their liking and prospered. As they grew older they stopped eating the plankton (as young minnows eat) and began to feed on tiny perch fry and perch eggs. They killed millions of perch before they had a chance to grow.


Pappy said it best. All minnows are not native to the waters you release them in. I have heard of some indiviiduals who released fish they had kept in their aquariums. (Algae eaters, plecostomas, carp etc) Those really screw up the ecosystems.

[shipahoy41]

Unfortunately, the majority of the people who fish there are members of a particular ethnic group who do not know what a trash can is for! I don't know how many times I have watched them sitting beside a trash can and throwing their burrito wrappers and beer cans and tequila bottles in the water! I can't tell you how bad I want to say something, but most likely, most of them wouldn't understand me, anyway! Deral

We DO NOT do ANY ETHNIC SLURS on this board. Just a word of caution.

I know how griped we all can get, but one thing I like about this board is that we take the high road and do not "slur" any ethnic group. Me personally, I would have pointed it out to them and "gestured" to the trash can. This problem is not just "unique" to burrito wrappers and/or tequila bottles. I have seen so many individuals, of all ethnic groups, with a blatant disregard to cleaning up after themselves.

[SMITTY 58D]

I've heard of soda cans killing minnows. I guess they swim into them and and cant get out because of the metal opening catches them. Kinda like crab fishing, you can get in but not out. Also if you catch a snag of fishing line and other garbage dont throw it back in for someone else just take it with you and dispose of it. If someone asks you for help, help them become a better fisherman. you dont have to give them your secret techniques or spots but help them catch enough to feed the family. I really dont like it when some people give others the cold shoulder but on the other hand I really dont like it when someone comes in and tries to croud my family when we are fishing. I dont own the lake but when a 50 to 60 thousand dollar boat full of 6 people set down right where I am fishing and cast lures and hit my boat with my wife and 2 year old son in it I kinda get upset. There's more to this story but I ended up leaving and tried to be the better man.

[shipahoy41]

I've heard of soda cans killing minnows. I guess they swim into them and and cant get out because of the metal opening catches them. Kinda like crab fishing, you can get in but not out. .

I had not heard of that. I guess we can all learn something every day.

[fish-wva]

another one for the list is when you see another boater on the water or on the ramp that is having problems, take a second out of your day to help out i know if i were in need of assistance i would hope someone would lend a hand. when i am running up the lake and see someone who is stopped and not fishing i pay attention to see if they are having any problems and assist as needed. i also keep a tow rope just in case someone need a tow back to the marina

[Opie1]

11) Throw the trophy slabs back in the water and keep the smaller crappie under 12" for eating.

Of course trophy size depends on what part of the country you are fishing.

[shipahoy41]

Hey Opie,

I spent a lot of time at Mogadore, West Branch, and Wingfoot Lake in Akron.

[GRIZZ]

12. Tell Grizz all your secret slab holes. Very ethical indeed.